I'm learning about my priorities

As I contemplate what to change for the month of August, and possibly beyond, I have learned quite a bit about myself and my priorities. While I may think of myself as "green" and eco-friendly .... the reality is somewhere far less than the mental image!

I still have not decided what I am going to do come August 1st - one week away! I have a good idea, but I am feeling as if my current working idea (which I am keeping secret still so I can contemplate it some more) is just not enough. Something about simply one change a month, for a total of 12 changes, is not that much in the grand scheme of things. Then again, I am not following through with some of my current changes 100% of the time either, so ....

Anyway, I really wanted the first change to deal with personal care products, since that was the impetus of this whole thought process. But in thinking what I use, and then what I can do without, I had a hard time paring it down ... and in the end it said a lot about what I value. Not that I am proud of the reasons why I felt I could not make the change away from said product.

Here is my list of current daily personal care products, and my thoughts of eliminating them:
Shampoo - Nope - I really need clean hair. I do, after all, have to interact in my very mainstream neighborhood! I have thought about trying the whole "No Poo" method, but for now, I'll give up something else!

Conditioner - Maybe. And actually right now I am trying to see how this is going. I'll keep you posted.

Bar Soap - Sure I can go without this in the shower. In fact, I usual just use the suds from my shampoo anyway. That and a washcloth work for most things.

Shave Gel - Don't want to!! I am very addicted to my shaving gel. I could go without it, but I just do not want to!! This is very very indulgent, and I know so. I might give this up once I go thru the can I have and the two cans my mother recently gave me because she gave it up.

Tooth Paste - ummmmm I suppose I could use baking soda. But I like the clean breath smell too. I often use fluoride-free paste, so I am only going without the breath freshening smell. This is on the short-list for elimination.

Body Lotion - maybe. I use it semi-often. More in the winter than summer ... and I am contemplating coconut oil as a replacement. Short list.

Face Lotion - maybe. Again, coconut oil. Short list after more research.

Mouse - maybe. I am experimenting with my looks right now! So, Short List!

Sunscreen - Nope. I burn way too easily.

Face Sunscreen Stick -don't want to. I like the fact that this stuff does not get in my eyes. So while I could get rid of it, I don't want to.

Hand Soap - nope. Need this for after bathroom and etc.

Chapstick - maybe. It all depends on what I could replace it with.

I"d Have to Get Used to Pain

As part of my mulling process for my One Change A Month project, I thought about giving up some of my 200 personal care products and attempting to par it down to a mere 10 or so. So this morning I thought, what about hair conditioner? I am sure that giving up on that would significantly reduce plastic, chemicals, and water consumption. And can you imagine if everyone gave up conditioner ... the impact would be ginormous!

So, this morning I shampooed my medium-long, wavy tresses in my Lavender Dr. Bronner's Soap, used the suds from my head to wash my body, shaved one leg (I am a one leg a day shaver, always have been.) with shaving gel that I love and am dreading ever giving up, and then turned off the water. Gherkie happened to be in the bathroom waiting for me, and when I opened the shower curtain she said, "Wow! That was a fast shower." Whoo Hoo; already seeing results!

So out I get and dry myself off, apply some lotion and deodorant, get dressed, brush my teeth, then go to brush my hair.

OUCH!

Well, if I go this route I'd definitely have to get used to some pain. My hair simply tangles so easily. And I might be bald too, since my hairbrush was filled with hairs I pulled out of my head. I don't know; this may not be one of the things I give up. We'll see. Sacrifices must be made, but what .....

Ug! What To Do?

So I've been mulling over all the possibilities for the first change I will undertake come August 1st.

So many ideas, so many "obstacles."

I was seriously thinking of undertaking some personal care product change ... but the more I thought about that, the more I thought I should try the product first. I have this mental image of me making this change that creates this horrendous result - and I end up with 12 months of looking like a total freak! Some of that feeling is just a bit of nerves - you know, agreeing to a huge change for a whole year. No one likes change, right?

But actually, an even bigger reason for some of my resistance is the fact that I have a semi-decent stash of various products in my house already. The impetuous for this change was my Dr. Bronner's Soap relovation, and since then I have been seriously trying to use up product and not buy anything new.

Hmmmmm - maybe that should be my Aug. challenge: Not to buy any new personal care product until I have used up *ALL* the items I have stashed in the house currently. And then .... to only purchase ... what? Healthy products? Eco-Friendly products? Multi-use products? What really is my criteria? I'd better figure that one out, huh? But really, is that a change, and one that can be sustained for a whole year? I need new ideas.

Well, I only have a week or so left until August. I'd better get crackin'!

I'm Trying Something New - 1 Change A Month

I have been at a stand-still as of late with my "green-ness" and have been struggling to maintain some things, and not so motivated to try new things. Well, I'd like to in theory, but the reality is I am overwhelmed with stuff just from life, so I have not made many new changes.

Time to shake things up a bit!

I decided last week (I need to mull my ideas over a bit before I commit to them!) that I am going to do one "green" change a month and agree to stick to it for a whole year. So by the end of the year - or next August, I'll have 12 new healthy habits, and hopefully the family will too.

So, stand by as my mind concocts new adventures!